Just 40 kms away from Kullu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks, the Beas river with its clear water meanders through the town. On the other side are deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Bara Bhangal (Kangra), and Zanskar ranges. From temples to antiquity, to picturesque sight-seeing spots and adventure activities, Manali is a popular resort for all seasons and for all travellers.

(Indian Travel agent, Adventure tours, group camping, expedition , holiday package, Tour to India with mount cruiser.)

A dream etched in milky white pristine marble is the peerless monument portraying the beauty of eternal love! A commemoration of the memory of Shahjahan’s beloved wife, Taj Mahal is indeed India’s rich tribute to womanhood.

The Mughal Emperors were always fond of constructing monuments. Perhaps they knew that even though they leave the mortal world, these structures would remind the world of their grandeur. Shah Jahan, the ever-constructing sultan was particularly fond of building, the proof being-the city of Shah Jahanabad as old Delhi is called today and the magnificent Taj Mahal. Even as the world is caught in the skirmishes of War and peace, Nuclear and Non-Nuclear; Taj has stood as the epitome of love, which is one of the most visited and most photographed places in the world.

The incomparable Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, epitomizes Islamic architecture, in its purest form.

Some of the scenic Kerala backwater destinations that you can see on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater are:

Cochin: This historic port city called “the Queen of the Arabian Sea,” is known for its natural harbor. Consisting of a cluster of islands Kochi as it is now known, is the starting point for many Kerala backwater cruises and has many historic buildings, making it one of the most popular Kerala backwater destinations.

Alappuzha: This Kerala Backwater destination is also known as the “Venice of the East,” because of its surrounding waterways and canals. Alappuzha, previously known as Alleppey, is famous for the annual Nehru Trophy Snake Boat race held here every year, around the festival of Onam. Large Snake boats called” Chundanvalloms” propelled by teams of rowers compete for the trophy instituted by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minster of India.

Kasargod: Kasargod a town in North Kerala is known for the Valiyaparamba stretch of backwaters, an incredibly beautiful and green corridor along the coast of Kerala. You can travel through this scenic backwater on Kerala backwater destinations tours with Kerala Backwater.

Kollam: Situated just over 70 Km from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam is an ancient seaport on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake. The cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha, which lasts eight hours, is a magical ride along the scenic backwaters of Kerala. Kollam is also known as the “Gateway to Kerala’s Backwaters.”

Kottayam: Kottayam in Kerala is known for its fascinating backwaters on the seacoast and beautiful hills further inland. Crops such as rubber are grown in plantations in Kottayam district. You can see the backwaters and plantations of Kottayam on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Kozhikode: Kozhikode in North Kerala, is an important port, previously known as Calicut. Calico – a variety of checked cotton cloth derives its name from Calicut. It was at Kappad beach just 16 km from Kozhikode, that Vasco da Gama landed in Kerala in 1498.

Kumarakom: Situated in the beautiful Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a paradise on Earth. The bird sanctuary, the scenic beauty and the tourist resorts along the backwaters make Kumarakom one of the most sought after Kerala Backwater destinations.

Kuttanad: Known as the “Ricebowl of Kerala” Kuttanad brings to mind images of verdant paddy fields. A unique feature of Kuttanad is that the fields are below sea level and are barricaded from the surrounding backwaters by earthern bunds similar to the dykes of Netherlands.

Thiruvallam: Located 6 Km from Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvallam is a beautiful backwater destination at the conjunction of two rivers – the Killi and the Karamana and near the scenic Veli Lagoon.

Thiruvananthapuram: The capital of Kerala, previously known as Trivandrum, is a starting point for your tour of Kerala Backwater Destinations. Thiruvananthapuram is also known for its museums, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and proximity to the beautiful Kovalam Beach.

Enjoy seeing the scenic attractions of Kerala Backwater destinations on Kerala tours with Mount Cruiser.

Goa Beaches: over view

Talking about the Goa, there are multifarious beaches and every one of them is just amazing:

Candolim Beach: This beach can also be termed as the finest beach in Goa. This beach is also known for its historical importance. Great freedom fighter and Father of Hypnotism Abbe Faria was born here. People come here to see the sun sets and enjoy the local amenities.

Sinquerim Beach: This beach is one of the neatest beaches filled with glariest sands and beautiful sceneries. The historical fort built here shows you the glory of its enriched history.

Baga Beach: This place is really famous amongst the tourists. Being a small fishing port, people come here to see the local culture. Also, one can see nude people enjoying the sun in the amazing sceneries of Baga.

Arambol Beach: Amongst all the beaches in Goa, this is the main center of all the activities in the Goa. Hippies and other people give in this place an amazing ambience. Music, fun and many more things buzz here.

Palolem Beach: This beach is one of the places where one can see the real and ancient Goa. Fishing, local music dance and other enjoyment are just inexplicable.

Apart from above mentioned beaches there are many other beaches like Vagator, Agonda, Mobor and Cavelossim beaches. These beaches share the same popularity with the above mentioned beaches

Indian Travel agent, Adventure tours, group camping, expedition , holiday package, Tour to India with mount cruiser.

.                                                                                                           

Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest per capita incomes of any state in India. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such asDelhi, Punjab & Rajasthan. The economy of the state is highly dependent on three sources: hydroelectric power, tourism and agriculture.

Hindus make up 95% of the state population, making it the most Hindu state (proportionally), in India. According to a 2005 Transparency International survey, Himachal Pradesh is ranked the second-least corrupt state in the country after Kerala.

More than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers who got killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919 have their names written on the Indian Gate of New Delhi. After India became independent, another memorial, Amar Jawan Jyoti was added to the existing structure. This arched memorial has an eternal flame that burns day and night as a mark of respect to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the India-Pakistan War that took place in December 1971.

Resting on a low foundation of red Bharatpur stone, the arch rises in stages to a huge molding. On both the sides of the arch the word INDIA is inscribed, along with the date, MCMXIV (1914) on the left and MCMXIX (1919) on the right. The best time to see Delhi India Gate is during nightfall, when it is magnificently floodlit. Splendid lawns, with a number of fountains, encircle the monument. These fountains present a breathtaking view at night when they make a lovely display with colored lights.

Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exist on its south – east plateaux of Rupshu and Chushul – in drainage basins with evocative names like Tso-moriri, Tsokar, and grandest of all, Pangong-tso. Occasionally, some stray monsoon clouds do find their way over the Himalaya, and lately this seems to be happening with increasing frequency. But the main source of water remains the winter snowfall.

For the rest of the region, the snow on the peaks is virtually the only source of water. As the crops grow, the villagers pray not for rain, but for sun to melt the glaciers and liberate their water. Usually their prayers are answered, for the skies are clear and the sun shines for over 300 days in the year. Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 9,000 feet (2,750m) at Kargil to 25,170 feet (7,672m) at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. Thus summer temperatures rarely exceed about 270 C in the shade, while in winter they may plummet to -200 C even in Leh. Surprisingly, though, the thin air makes the heat of the sun even more intense than at lower altitudes; it is said that only in Ladakh can a man sitting in the sun with his feet in the shade suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time!

Prime Attractions of Ladakh Zanskar

About 20-km south of Rangdum stands the Pazila watershed across which lies Zanskar, the most isolated of all the trans Himalayan Valleys. The Panzela Top (4,401 m) is the picturesque tableland adorned with two small alpine lakes and surrounded by snow-covered peaks.

Hemis Thanks to the Hemis Setchu festival – one of the few held in summer, when the passes are open – Hemis, 45-km southeast of Leh, is the most famous Gompa in Ladakh.

Sankar Gompa Sankar Gompa, 3-km north of the town centre, is among the most accessible monasteries in central Ladakh – hence its restricted visiting hours for tourists

Baltoro Glacier The Baltoro glacier is situated on the southern slopes of the central Karakoram Range in the Baltistan area of Jammu and Kashmir. The location of Boltoro is in a huge arena hemmed by high peaks.

Baralacha Pass On the long Manali -Leh road and providing a route across the Baralacha range is the famous Baralacha Pass. It is situated at a spectacular 16,400 ft above sea level. The pass itself is 8-km long, and is literally the pass “where many roads meet”.

Biafo Glacier The Biafo glacier is located on the south-facing slopes of the Karakoram Range in the Baltistan area of Ladakh. It has a length of about 60-km and descends from a large glacial trough.

Dah-Hanu Dah and Hanu are places on the far side of the great Indus River on the far side of Leh. Surrounded by the great Hindu – Kush mountains and peopled by a hardy but gentle people who have a bank of strange legends to relate for the weary traveller’s ears.

Hemis High Altitude Wildlife Sanctuary The Hemis High Altitude National Park includes the catchments of two valleys, which drain into the River Indus. It is named after the famous monastery — Hemis, and sprawls over 600-sq-km in the Markha And Rumbak valleys.

Karakoram Pass The Karakoram Pass lies on one of the highest trade routes in the world for Yarkand in Central Asia.

Khardong La & Digar La Pass The Khardong La pass is situated at an incredible elevation of over 5,800 m (18,680 ft). It lies on the route between Leh and the Shyok and Nubra valleys

Lakes in Ladakh The Tso Morari Lake is one of the largest lakes in Ladakh region and is almost like an inland sea. At an altitude of almost 4,500 meters, the Pangong Tso is only 8-km wide at its broadest but is an amazing 134-km long. Kyaghr lake is the halting place for trekkers moving from the Kiangdum camping ground to the Tsomorari Lake.

Panamic After a cleansing trip to the hot springs, where two rooms each have a deep tub filled with piping hot sulphurous water, where’s little to do in Panamic other than walk. A dot on the mountainside across the river, Ensa Gompa makes an obvious excursion.

Pangong Tso Pangong Tso, 154-km to the southeast of Leh, is one of the largest salt-water lakes in Asia, a long narrow strip of water stretching from Ladakh east into Tibet. Only a quarter of the 130-km-long lake is in Ladakh, and the Indian army, who experienced bitter losses along its shores in the war against China in 1962, guard their side of the frontier.

River Rafting

While water levels are high, between the end of June and late August, Leh’s more entrepreneurial travel agents operate rafting trips on the river Indus Siachen Glacier The Siachen glacier lies in the extreme north-central part of Jammu and Kashmir near the border of India and Tibet. With a length of about 72-km, Siachen is known as the largest glacier in the world outside the Polar Regions.

Fairs And Festivals The religious philosophy of Buddhism, however, profound and subtle doesn’t preclude and immense joie-de-vivre among its Ladakhi adhe-rents, and even solemn religious enactment’s are made the occasion for joyous celebration. Many of the annual festivals of the Gompa take place in winter, a relatively idle time for the majority of the people.

Colourful Events They take the form of dance-dramas in the Gompa courtyards. Lamas, robed in colourful garments and wearing often startlingly frightful masks, perform mimes representing various aspects of the religion such as the progress of the individual soul and its purification or the triumph of good over evil. Local people flock from near and far to these events, and the spiritual benefits they get are no doubt heightened by their enjoyments of the party atmosphere, with crowds of women and men, the opportunity to make new friendships and renew old ones, the general bustle and sense of occasion.

The New Year Festivities Falling in the second half of February, Dosmoche is one of two New Year festivals, the other being Losar. At Dosmoche, a great wooden mast decorated with streamers and religious emblems is set up outside Leh. At the appointed time, offerings of ‘Storma’, ritual figures moulded out of dough, are brought out and ceremonially cast away into the desert, or burnt. These scapegoats carry away with them the evil spirits of the old year, and thus the town is cleansed and made ready to welcome the New Year. Losar falls about the times the winter solstice, any time of the winter solstice.

(Indian Travel agent, Adventure tours, group camping, expedition , holiday package, Tour to India with mount cruiser.)

Haridwar, “Gateway to the abode of gods” blessed by the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva nestles on the banks of River Ganga. Renowned for the “Maha Kumbh Mela” appearing every 12 years and the Ardh (half) Kumbh performed every six years fortunately beautifies India drawing a number of pilgrims and devotees to commemorate this divine event. Haridwar also provides plenty to learn.

Agra has more to offer apart from the Taj Mahal.

The heydays of Agra came with the reign of Humayun’s son, Akbar The Great, during whose reign; the main part of the Agra fort was built. But then, Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal, erected most of the buildings inside the fortress.

Indian Travel agent, Adventure tours, group camping, expedition , holiday package, Tour to India with mount cruiser.

The Khajuraho temples were built during the reign of the Chandelas. While some show marks of a Shaivite sensibility, others clearly manifest the influence of Vaishnaism, Jainism, and tantrism. These temples have an architectural character distinct from that of any other group of temples elsewhere in the country. Instead of being contained within the customary enclosure wall, each temple stands on a high and solid masonry terrace. Though none of the temples are very large, they are still imposing structures because of their elegant proportions and rich surface sculpture.

Unlike the rather plain treatment of other central Indian temple interiors, the Khajuraho temples are richly decorated with sculpture. Other than numerous deities enshrined in wall niches, there are attendants, graceful “maidens” in a variety of provocative postures, dancers, musicians and embracing couples. On one temple alone, the figures thus depicted are over six hundred and fifty in number. Many of these compositions display great sensuality and warmth. There are also scenes of explicit sexual activity which possibly illustrate the tantric rites that accompanied temple worship. It is quite reliably said that some of the sexual postures follow the Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian manual of love-making.

Indian Travel agent, Adventure tours, group camping, expedition , holiday package, Tour to India with mount cruiser.